Effects of Amino Acids on Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Its Signaling Pathways

The intestine is the primary organ responsible for digestion and absorption of nutrients and is frequently subjected to external environmental stimulations leading to the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which can cause serious harm to intestinal health in animals. Dietary amino acids play important roles in promoting intestinal development and maintaining intestinal health and exert diverse effects through multiple signaling pathways on the prevention and treatment of IBD, including affecting the physiological activities of intestinal epithelial cells, improving intestinal barrier function, reducing intestinal oxidative damage, regulating the production of inflammatory cytokines, and promoting the expression of endogenous antimicrobial peptides, and involved in main signaling pathways including AMP-activated kinase (AMPK), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), Toll-like receptors (TLRs), nucleotide binding oligomerization domain (NOD)/nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB). In this review, basic characteristics of IBD, effects and involved signaling pathways of the amino acids on IBD, and effects and applications of amino acids in maintaining intestinal health in livestock and poultry production were reviewed, so as to provide effective clues and strategies for dietary nutrients in the prevention and treatment of IBD.     

胃肠宁对脾虚大鼠胃肠激素和炎性细胞因子的影响

目的:探讨胃肠宁对脾虚证动物胃肠激素和炎性细胞因子的影响。方法:采用苦寒泻下法复制大鼠脾虚证模型,研究胃肠宁对脾虚大鼠血清中IL-10、IL-1β及回肠始段SP、VIP含量的影响。结果:脾虚证大鼠血清中IL-10水平显著降低(P<0.05),IL-1β水平显著升高(P<0.05),胃肠宁能在一定程度上恢复IL-10和IL-1β含量,但与自然康复组相比差异不显著(P>0.05);脾虚证大鼠回肠始段SP含量显著升高(P<0.05),VIP含量显著降低(P<0.05),胃肠宁能显著恢复脾虚大鼠回肠始段SP和VIP含量(P>0.05)。结论:胃肠宁对脾虚证具有较好的治疗作用,其作用机制主要是能显著改善脾虚大鼠回肠始段SP和VIP水平。     

Digital hypothermia inhibits early lamellar inflammatory signalling in the oligofructose laminitis model

Reasons for performing study: The pathophysiological events inhibited by prophylactic digital hypothermia that result in reduction of the severity of acute laminitis are unknown. Objectives: To determine if digital hypothermia inhibits lamellar inflammatory signalling during development of oligofructose (OF) induced laminitis. Methods: Fourteen Standardbred horses were given 10 g/kg bwt OF by nasogastric tube with one forelimb (CRYO) continuously cooled by immersion in ice and water and one forelimb (NON‐RX) at ambient temperature. Lamellae were harvested prior to the onset of lameness (24 h post OF administration, DEV group, n = 7) or at the onset of lameness (OG1 group, n = 7). Lamellar mRNA was purified and cDNA produced for real time‐quantitative PCR analysis of mRNA concentrations of cytokines (IL‐6, IL‐1β, IL‐10), chemokines (CXCL1, CXCL6, CXCL8/IL‐8, MCP‐1, MCP‐2), cell adhesion molecules (ICAM‐1, E‐selectin), COX‐2 and 3 housekeeping genes. Data were analysed (NON‐RX vs. CRYO, NON‐RX vs. archived control [CON, n = 7] lamellar tissue) using nonparametric tests. Results: Compared with CON, the OG1 NON‐RX had increased (P<0.05) lamellar mRNA concentrations of all measured mediators except IL‐10, IL‐1β and MCP‐1/2, whereas only CXCL8 was increased (P<0.05) in DEV NON‐RX. Within the OG1 group, CRYO limbs (compared with NON‐RX) had decreased (P<0.05) mRNA concentrations of the majority of measured inflammatory mediators (no change in MCP‐1 and IL‐10). Within the DEV group, mRNA concentrations of CXCL‐1, ICAM‐1, IL‐1β, CXCL8 and MCP‐2 were decreased (P<0.05) and the anti‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐10 was increased (compared with NON‐RX limbs; P<0.05). Conclusions: Digital hypothermia effectively blocked early lamellar inflammatory events likely to play an important role in lamellar injury including the expression of chemokines, proinflammatory cytokines, COX‐2 and endothelial adhesion molecules. Potential relevance: This study demonstrates a potential mechanism by which hypothermia reduces the severity of acute laminitis, and may help identify molecular targets for future laminitis intervention.     

The equine alveolar macrophage: Functional and phenotypic comparisons with peritoneal macrophages

Alveolar macrophages (AMs) constitute the first line of defence in the lung of all species, playing a crucial role in the regulation of immune responses to inhaled pathogens. A detailed understanding of the function and phenotype of AMs is a necessary pre-requisite to both elucidating their role in preventing opportunistic bacterial colonisation of the lower respiratory tract and developing appropriate preventative strategies. The purpose of the study was to characterise this important innate immune cell at the tissue level by making functional and phenotypic comparisons with peritoneal macrophages (PMs). We hypothesised that the tissue of origin determines a unique phenotype of AMs, which may constitute an appropriate therapeutic target for certain equine respiratory diseases. Macrophages isolated from the lung and the peritoneal cavity of 9 horses were stimulated with various toll like receptor (TLR) ligands and the production of nitrite, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), interleukin (IL) 10 and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) were measured by the Griess reaction and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and/or quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Cells were also compared on the basis of phagocytic-capacity and the expression of several cell surface markers. AMs, but not PMs, demonstrated increased TNFα release following stimulation with LPS, polyinosinic polycytidylic acid (Poly IC) and heat-killed Salmonella typhinurium and increased TNFα and IDO mRNA expression when stimulated with LPS. AMs showed high expression of the specific macrophage markers cluster of differentiation (CD) 14, CD163 and TLR4, whereas PMs showed high expression of TLR4 only. AMs, but not PMs, demonstrated efficient phagocytic activity. Our results demonstrate that AMs are more active than PMs when stimulated with various pro-inflammatory ligands, thus supporting the importance of the local microenvironment in the activation status of the macrophage. This information provides a valuable knowledge base on which to improve our understanding of the role of macrophages and their microenvironment in equine innate immunity.     

Autologous point‐of‐care cellular therapies variably induce equine mesenchymal stem cell migration,proliferation and cytokine expression

Reasons for performing study: Autologous cellular therapy products including adipose‐derived stromal vascular fraction (SVF), bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNs), cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMNs) and platelet rich plasma are options for treatment of acute orthopaedic lesions while mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are culture expanded. These products may contribute to healing by secreting matrix proteins or growth factors, but they may also act on endogenous MSCs to facilitate healing. Objectives: To determine the effects of cell therapy products on MSCs function in vitro. The hypothesis was that cell therapy products promote MSCs functions including proliferation, migration and mediator release. Methods: Fat, bone marrow (BM), cord blood and platelets were obtained from 6 Quarter Horses. The BM‐MSCs and their autologous cell therapy products were co‐incubated in transwells. Mesenchymal stem cells proliferation, migration, gene expression and cytokine concentrations were determined. Results: All cell therapy products increased MSCs proliferation, but SVF induced significantly more proliferation than any other product. Also SVF elicited more MSCs chemotaxis and, along with BMMNs, significantly more MSCs chemoinvasion. Cord blood mononuclear cells stimulated MSCs to produce high concentrations of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1), and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂). Stromal vascular fraction and platelet lysate did not stimulate MSCs but SVF and platelet lysate themselves contained high concentrations of PGE₂ and IL‐6 (SVF) and TGF‐β1 (platelet lysate). Conclusions: Autologous cell products variably stimulate MSCs functions with 2 primary patterns apparent. Products either contained preformed mediators that may have intrinsic healing function, or products stimulated MSCs to secrete mediators. Potential relevance: The specific clinical indications for these products may differ to include administration as a sole treatment modality prior to MSCs injection for intrinsic cell and cytokine activity (i.e. SVF) or administration concurrently with MSCs to activate MSCs for treatment of chronic lesions (i.e. CBMNs).     

桦褐孔菌多糖对急性感染弓形虫小鼠c-Jun、IL-12和IL-1β的影响研究

为了探讨桦褐孔菌多糖对急性感染弓形虫小鼠核转录因子c-Jun、IL-1β和IL-12的影响,本试验在建立急性感染弓形虫小鼠模型后,随机将其分成3组:阴性组、急性感染弓形虫小鼠模型组和桦褐孔菌多糖试验组。采用RT-PCR法检测肝组织中c-Jun及脾组织中IL-1β和IL-12的mRNA表达;Western blot法检测c-Jun蛋白的表达。结果显示:c-Jun、IL-1β和IL-12的mRNA分别在360、736和978 bp处扩增出单一电泳条带,且c-Jun蛋白在39 ku处表达,均呈现出弓形虫感染组表达量最高,桦褐孔菌多糖试验组次之,对照组最弱。说明桦褐孔菌多糖可能通过下调c-Jun过度表达,抑制IL-1β、IL-12的过度表达,部分阻抑了AP-1信号通路转导,从而减轻炎症反应,达到抗弓形虫感染的目的。     

Effects of n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (ω-3) Supplementation on Some Cardiovascular Risk Factors with a Ketogenic Mediterranean Diet

Background: the ketogenic diet (KD) has become a widely used nutritional approach for weight loss. Some of the KD’s positive effects on metabolism and cardiovascular risk factors are similar to those seen after n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3) supplementation. We hypothesized that a ketogenic Mediterranean diet with phytoextracts combined with ω-3 supplementation may have increased positive effects on cardiovascular risk factors and inflammation. Methods: We analyzed 34 male overweight subjects; aged between 25 and 65 years who were overall healthy apart from overweight. The subjects followed a ketogenic diet protocol for four weeks; with (KDO3) or without (KD) ω-3 supplementation. Results: All subjects experienced a significant loss of body weight and body fat and there was no significant differences between treatment (body weight: KD—4.7 kg, KDO3—4.03 kg, body fat KD—5.41 kg, KDO3—5.86 kg). There were also significant decreases in total cholesterol, LDL-c, and glucose levels. Triglycerides and insulin levels decreased more in KDO3 vs. KD subjects, with a significant difference. All the investigated inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) decreased significantly in KDO3 subjects whilst only TNF-α showed a significant decrease in KD subjects over the 12 month study period. No significant changes were observed in anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10 and IL-1Ra), creatinine, urea and uric acid. Adiponectin increased significantly only in the KDO3 group. Conclusions: ω-3 supplementation improved the positive effects of a ketogenic Mediterranean diet with phytoextracts on some cardiovascular/metabolic risk factors and inflammatory state.     

PCV-2感染对PK-15细胞抗病毒相关因子转录时相的影响

【目的】了解猪圆环病毒2型(PCV-2)感染对PK-15细胞抗病毒相关因子转录时相的影响,探讨宿主-病毒之间的作用关系。【方法】运用荧光定量PCR技术,测定和分析PCV-2感染PK-15细胞后0(未接种病毒),1,6,12,24,48,72 h时病毒DNA含量及细胞因子IFN-βI、FN-γI、FNAR-1I、FNAR-2、MHC-Ⅰ、MHC-Ⅱ、MX1、NOS、RNaseL和IRF-3 mRNA转录水平的变化。【结果】PCV-2感染PK-15后1 h就可以检测到病毒DNA,在感染后24 h病毒开始大量迅速增殖,于感染72 h时达到最高峰。与0 h相比,PCV-2感染后IFN-βI、RF-3的表达量在感染12 h时显著增加,其他时间表达量下降;IFN-γ、MHC-Ⅱ的表达量在感染12 h时增加不明显,其他时间表达量下降;感染PCV-2后IFNAR-2、MHC-Ⅰ、MX1的表达量下降;RNaseL的表达量在感染12 h时显著减少,其他时间表达量增加,48 h时表达量增加显著;IFNAR-1的表达量在感染72 h时显著增加,其他时间表达量下降;未检测出NOS的表达。【结论】随着PCV-2病毒含量的增加,以上几种主要抗病毒因子的表达量不明显或有所下降,表明PCV-2感染PK-15细胞后可逃避机体的抗病毒作用机制。